Four-year-old Shamimu lives near Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Although very young, she already has advanced cataracts in both eyes.  When outreach workers found Shamimu, she was almost completely blind. The only way she could see to do her school work was to rest her chin on the page with her eyes as close to her pen as possible. Without treatment she would have difficulty finishing school and finding work.

Shamimu doing her schoolwork

Shamimu was very nervous about going to the eye hospital. Not understanding cataract surgery, her friends told her that she was going to have her eyes replaced with goat’s eyes!

A brave Shamimu with her mother after surgery

After her sight-restoring cataract surgery Shamimu could see clearly! Happily she returned to school with new confidence and an excitement for learning.

Shimimu is just one example of the 1.4 million children worldwide who are blind with the majority living in low-income countries with little access to care. Two out of three are girls.

When children can see they can get an education, play with friends and build a brighter future for themselves and their families.

Shamimu with visiting Seva Canada Board Member (former), David Hardouin, after her bandages were removed.